The first day of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump has begun
with battle over its format.
This is the third such trial in US
history.
So
far the senators have debated the rules under which the trial should be
conducted. No witnesses have yet been authorized to testify.
Despite
efforts by Democrats to force the White House to provide documents, the vote
failed after splitting along party lines.
Republican
Senate leader Mitch McConnell, who sets the rules for the chamber, said he is
hoping the trial will last just 10 days.
He made some last-minute changes to his proposal for how the Senate will
conduct President Trump’s impeachment trial. The House managers and the
president’s defense team now have three days each, instead of two, to present
their opening arguments (although each side’s total time is still capped at 24
hours).
Mitch
McConnell has also changed the rules of evidence somewhat, allowing the House
managers to introduce material gathered during their hearings unless a majority
of the Senate objects.
He
has said he had the Republican votes he needed to pass his rules package, but
perhaps he felt some pressure from within his own ranks to more closely align
his proposal to the way President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial was run in
1998.
However,
Democrats will still be calling for more. They want a guarantee of witnesses,
something that doesn’t seem likely to happen.
Democrat
Charles Schumer said a trial without witnesses or evidence would be “a
cover-up”.
President Trump
is accused of seeking help from Ukraine to get himself re-elected, and of
obstructing Congress.
He has called the investigation a “hoax” and a “witch-hunt”.
Donald Trump is only the third president to face an impeachment trial.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have issued a
legal warning to the media after photographs of the duchess in Canada were
published in newspapers and on websites.
According to lawyers, the photos of Meghan Markle walking her dogs and
carrying her son were taken by photographers hiding in bushes and spying on
her.
They say the duchess did not consent and accuse the photographers of
harassment.
Prince Harry and Meghan say that they are prepared to take legal action.
They are believed to be alarmed by paparazzi activity near their current
base on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Lawyers say there have also been attempts to photograph inside the couple’s
home using long-range lenses and they accuse the paparazzi of being camped
outside the property.
Under laws in British Columbia, Meghan Markle may have grounds for a legal
case if she can prove her privacy has been violated, although freedom of the
press and expression is guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms.
This comes after Queen Elizabeth II agreed to Prince Harry and Meghan’s wish
to step back from being full-time royals, to become financially independent and
to split their time between the UK and Canada.
On January 20, Meghan Markle was pictured carrying the couple’s
eight-month-old son Archie in a baby sling, while walking her two dogs, Guy and
Oz, in Horth Hill Regional Park on Vancouver Island.
Prince Harry arrived back in Canada on January 21 after attending the
UK-Africa Investment Summit in London on January 20.
The Duke of Sussex had been apart from Meghan and their son for more than 10
days, after she flew back to Canada earlier this month.
On January 18, it was announced that from the spring, Prince Harry and his
wife will no longer be full-time working royals.
They will stop using their HRH titles, no longer carry out royal duties or
military appointments and no longer formally represent the Queen.
Prince Harry has long had an uneasy relationship with the media, having
grown up aware of the impact the intense media interest had on the life of his
late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car crash in Paris while
being pursued by paparazzi on motorbikes.
He has often compared Meghan’s experiences of the press with those of his late mother.
The new virus discovered in China, known also as 2019-nCoV, is understood to
be a new strain of coronavirus that has not previously been identified in
humans.
Coronaviruses are a broad family of viruses, but only six (the new one would
make it seven) are known to infect people.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised people to avoid
“unprotected” contact with live animals, thoroughly cook meat and
eggs, and avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
Signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath
and breathing difficulties.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging
from the common cold to more severe disease. It’s not yet clear how bad this
new coronavirus is.
If a patient has recovered from the infection, they should not pose a
significant risk to others and can be sent home from hospital provided they are
well enough.
The first human cases were identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan in
December 2019.
There have not been any other suspected human cases reported prior to this.
Given the type of virus, the incubation period (how long it takes for
symptoms to appear after catching the infection) is days, rather than weeks.
It is not yet known how or when the virus became infectious to people.
Experts believe the first cases were transmitted by an animal.
At the moment, there is no vaccine that can protect people against this type
of coronavirus, but researchers are looking to develop one.
It is a new strain that hasn’t been seen in humans before, which means
doctors still have lots to learn about it.
Based on currently available information, the WHO has not recommended any
restrictions on travel or trade.
You should re-check the latest travel advice before you depart.
Extra airport checks such as temperature scans have been put in place to screen
some travelers in some countries/states.
Airports in Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo have been screening air
passengers from Wuhan and US authorities last week announced similar measures
at three major airports in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.
It is not yet known how the virus
was transmitted. Other coronaviruses, such as SARS and MERS, came from cats and
camels respectively.
Experts are working to find the
source.
Standard recommendations to prevent
infection apply. These include:
regular hand washing
covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
thoroughly cooking meat and eggs
Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
The first case of the new coronavirus on the US
territory has been confirmed, the Centers for Disease Control said.
According to the CDC, the virus, which originated in China, had been
diagnosed in a traveler who arrived in Seattle from China.
The new virus, which spread from the Chinese city of Wuhan, has infected almost 300 people, and six have died.
The virus, known also as 2019-nCoV, is understood to be a new strain of coronavirus that has not previously been identified in humans.
According to a tour operator, North Korea has temporarily closed its borders
to foreign tourists in response to the threat.
The patient diagnosed in the US returned from Wuhan on January 15, the CDC
said.
It added in a statement: “The
patient sought care at a medical facility in the state of Washington, where the
patient was treated for the illness.
“Based on the patient’s travel
history and symptoms, healthcare professionals suspected this new
coronavirus.”
Laboratory testing of a clinical specimen confirmed the diagnosis on January
20, the CDC statement continued.
The announcement that North Korea was barring entry to foreign tourists came
from Young Pioneer Tours, which is based in China and specializes in travel to
North Korea.
Young Pioneer Tours said in a statement that North Korea was implementing a
temporary ban as a precaution.
It said: “Further details are yet
to be confirmed by our travel partners in North Korea and we will continue to
make all future announcements on our website.”
Another tour group that travels to North Korea, Koryo Tours, also tweeted
about “possible limits to tourist entry”.
Some experts have previously warned
that international sanctions on North Korea had hit the country’s healthcare
system, by restricting the delivery of aid and medical equipment.
On January 20, Chinese officials
confirmed for the first time that the virus could pass from person to person.
At the same time Chinese state media
said six people had died from the infection, which causes a type of pneumonia.
A total of 291 cases have now been
reported across major cities in China, including Beijing and Shanghai. However,
most are in Wuhan, the central city of 11 million people at the heart of the
outbreak.
The disease was first identified
there late last year, and the outbreak is believed to be linked to a seafood
market that also sells live animals.
Aside from the US, two cases have
been identified in Thailand, one in Japan, one in South Korea and one in
Taiwan. All those infected had recently returned from Wuhan.
Authorities in several countries, including Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong,
Taiwan and Japan have stepped up screening of air passengers from Wuhan.
Last week, US authorities announced similar measures at airports in San
Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.
In Australia, a man who had travelled to Wuhan has been placed in isolation
and is undergoing tests. China is the largest source of tourists to Australia,
with more than a million Chinese citizens visiting last year.
However, the measures being put in place by North Korea are the strictest so
far.
A report by the Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial
College, London, suggested there could be more than 1,700 infections.
However, Gabriel Leung, the dean of medicine at the University of Hong Kong, put the figure closer to 1,300.
While small businesses starting out don’t tend to worry about security issues, the more prominent a business becomes, the bigger the target. There are physical threats, security concerns like network intrusions, and everything in between.
In this article, we consider the different threats that businesses face today and how to address them.
Physical Security
It’s a reality that anyone can attend the premises looking to speak to a staff member. They may be disgruntled or be carrying something dangerous on their person – you just never know.
For most businesses today, it’s necessary to have security staff employed that can provide some protection at the front reception area. They can also patrol through the grounds periodically to check for anyone either attempting to access the site or who is walking around unaccompanied without company identification.
To protect security staff, they should be wearing body armor made in the USA. This will offer protection from a bullet fired at their chest or back, along with important extra protection from a potential knife attack. They also should carry other items such as a flashlight, restraints or mace.
Internal Threats
Internal threats can come from a variety of sources. There’s the possibility that someone let onto the premises turns violent. This could be a client, customer or someone else who has a sudden, non-characteristic change of behavior. It could be because they first appeared calm and reasonable but quickly became irate or due to a mental issue that has led to their unusual or threatening behavior.
Another possibility is that an employee becomes potentially violent. This could also occur for several reasons including that they’re just been fired, their contract has come to an end, or they’ve just had a mental breakdown.
In each of these situations, it’s beneficial to have trained security personnel on-hand to escort the individual safely off the premises. This removes the danger for other staff members, but also for any clients or suppliers who are present.
Being able to lock down different areas of a building temporarily is useful too. This could be done either manually or remotely to temporarily contain a problem in one part of the building.
Network Problems
The safety of business networks is also of great concern to companies. Malicious use of the network can happen internally through employees or someone else on the premises who gains access to essential systems. Security processes and effective procedures must be in place to limit what can be done, depending on the clearance level of the person involved.
The risk of outside people hacking into the company’s network is also a very real and growing threat. It’s necessary for companies to continually bolster effects to protect their networks and any intellectual property they own. An internal department or regular use of an external network security team to run security checks is important to avoid a threat becoming real.
While companies are simply trying to conduct business, there are unfortunately a variety of threats that they can potentially face. While none are usually of their own doing or by choice, it’s necessary for all businesses to protect themselves by taking appropriate preventative action. Doing so avoids the worst of what could happen.
The number of people jacking in their jobs to work online is beginning to rise exponentially. More and more people are looking to create a life for themselves where they are not bound to an office cubicle. The call of a location free lifestyle is, indeed, a strong one. I mean, that’s probably why you are reading this article right? Well, before I tell you how to become a digital nomad, we need to get two things straight. Firstly, for the majority of us, this life isn’t easy to create. Secondly, without hard work, determination, and a small amount of luck, this life isn’t a guarantee. We see lots of people enter the space and fail because they expect it to be easy.
When you are starting out, it is an extremely stressful time. If you are a content writer, for example, you may have to buy plagiarism reports, like the ones you can get here. Or you might have to pay for keyword research software. You might have to do this before you get a single paying client. If you are thinking of becoming a digital nomad, just so you can sit and work on a beach, you should stop reading. We don’t really do that, and I hate the sand, the wi-fi is terrible, you can’t charge your laptop… don’t believe everything you see on the internet.
That being said, we do get to travel a lot, we aren’t tied down by one location, and we choose our own hours.
Although it takes a lot of hard work and effort to earn good money as a digital nomad, it does not require any qualifications. There are thousands of digital nomad career paths, all of which can be learnt for free if you have the drive. Youtube alone can teach you everything you need to be successful in this space. Combine it with a community that is very active on forums and social media, and you can find mentors and other digital nomads to help you along your path.
The truth is for a lot of us, we feel like the time we spent following the usual education path, school, college, university, was all a waste. I know middle-aged moms with no school qualifications raking in 6 figures a year online. Compare that to my friends who are majorly in debt and 4 years into an 8-year university course to earn less money, and you can see why we think that.
To sum it up, the steps to becoming a digital nomad are very simple. They just require guts and determination. If you don’t find quitting your job as exciting as it is terrifying, this isn’t the career for you. If you aren’t willing to work long hours for little return to set your self up for the rest of your life, this career isn’t for you. If, however, if you are driven, you have motivation and courage, you want to live a life of your own choosing then quit your job, sell your house, get on a plane.
And let me be the first to welcome you to this unpredictable lifestyle!
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will no longer use their HRH
titles, receive public funds for royal duties or formally represent Queen
Elizabeth II from spring, the Queen and Buckingham Palace announced on January
18 after reaching a new arrangement.
Earlier this month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their intention
“to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become
financially independent”.
The couple’s announcement prompted intensive discussions between the prince
and other senior royals, led by the Queen.
In 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan spoke of the difficulties of royal life and
media scrutiny, with the duke saying he feared his wife would fall victim to
“the same powerful forces” that led to his mother’s death.
In her statement on January 18, the Queen said she was pleased that a
“constructive and supportive way forward for [her] grandson and his
family” had been found.
The Queen said she recognized the “challenges” they had
experienced “as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two
years”.
Buckingham Palace said the duke and duchess understood that under the new
arrangement, they were required to withdraw from royal duties, including
official military appointments, but would continue to “uphold the values
of Her Majesty”.
According to the statement, Prince Harry and Meghan intend to repay £2.4 million
of taxpayer money used for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage.
The house in Windsor, for which the couple will pay rent, will remain their
family home as they divide their time between the UK and Canada.
Prince Harry and Meghan will continue to maintain their private patronages
and associations – the duke currently holds 16 patronages, including the
Invictus Games Foundation, the Royal Marines and the Rugby Football League; and
the duchess four – the National Theatre, the Association of Commonwealth
Universities, London-based animal charity Mayhew, and women’s charity Smart
Works.
They will no longer use HRH, an abbreviation of His/Her Royal Highness,
which is part of the title of some members of the Royal Family.
Speaking briefly to reporters at a summit in Berlin, UK’s PM Boris Johnson
said he had been confident the Royal Family would find a way forward for Prince
Harry and Meghan, adding: “I think
the whole country will want to join in wishing them the very best for the
future.”
However in comments made for a forthcoming Channel 5 documentary, Meghan’s
father, Thomas Markle, accused the couple of “destroying” the Royal
Family which he called “one of the greatest long-living institutions
ever”.
“Every young girl wants to become
a princess and she got that and now she’s tossing that away,” he said.
“It looks like she’s tossing that
away for money.”
Some questions about Prince Harry and Meghan’s future status remain
unanswered, including what their tax and immigration status will be in the UK
and Canada.
It is not yet known whether Meghan Markle still intends to gain British
citizenship, which would entail her spending a certain amount of time in the
UK.
The Sussexes have already begun a transition phase of living in Canada and
the UK.
The duchess is in Canada, a Commonwealth country, with son Archie, where the
Sussexes were for six weeks over the festive period.
On January 14, Meghan Markle visited a charity in Vancouver which campaigns for teenage girls living in poverty.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will no longer use their HRH
titles, receive public funds for royal duties or formally represent Queen
Elizabeth II from spring, the Queen and Buckingham Palace announced on January
18 after reaching a new arrangement.
Earlier this month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their intention
“to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become
financially independent”.
The couple’s announcement prompted intensive discussions between the prince
and other senior royals, led by the Queen.
In 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan spoke of the difficulties of royal life and
media scrutiny, with the duke saying he feared his wife would fall victim to
“the same powerful forces” that led to his mother’s death.
In her statement on January 18, the Queen said she was pleased that a
“constructive and supportive way forward for [her] grandson and his
family” had been found.
The Queen said she recognized the “challenges” they had
experienced “as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two
years”.
Buckingham Palace said the duke and duchess understood that under the new
arrangement, they were required to withdraw from royal duties, including
official military appointments, but would continue to “uphold the values
of Her Majesty”.
According to the statement, Prince Harry and Meghan intend to repay £2.4 million
of taxpayer money used for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage.
The house in Windsor, for which the couple will pay rent, will remain their
family home as they divide their time between the UK and Canada.
Prince Harry and Meghan will continue to maintain their private patronages
and associations – the duke currently holds 16 patronages, including the
Invictus Games Foundation, the Royal Marines and the Rugby Football League; and
the duchess four – the National Theatre, the Association of Commonwealth
Universities, London-based animal charity Mayhew, and women’s charity Smart
Works.
They will no longer use HRH, an abbreviation of His/Her Royal Highness,
which is part of the title of some members of the Royal Family.
Speaking briefly to reporters at a summit in Berlin, UK’s PM Boris Johnson
said he had been confident the Royal Family would find a way forward for Prince
Harry and Meghan, adding: “I think
the whole country will want to join in wishing them the very best for the
future.”
However in comments made for a forthcoming Channel 5 documentary, Meghan’s
father, Thomas Markle, accused the couple of “destroying” the Royal
Family which he called “one of the greatest long-living institutions
ever”.
“Every young girl wants to become
a princess and she got that and now she’s tossing that away,” he said.
“It looks like she’s tossing that
away for money.”
Some questions about Prince Harry and Meghan’s future status remain
unanswered, including what their tax and immigration status will be in the UK
and Canada.
It is not yet known whether Meghan Markle still intends to gain British
citizenship, which would entail her spending a certain amount of time in the
UK.
The Sussexes have already begun a transition phase of living in Canada and
the UK.
The duchess is in Canada, a Commonwealth country, with son Archie, where the
Sussexes were for six weeks over the festive period.
On January 14, Meghan Markle visited a charity in Vancouver which campaigns
for teenage girls living in poverty.
Special prosecutors from President Bill
Clinton’s impeachment will be included in President Donald Trump’s defense team
in his Senate trial.
President Trump will be represented by Ken Starr and Robert Ray, who
investigated President Clinton, and Alan Dershowitz, whose past clients include
OJ Simpson.
White House counsel Pat Cipollone and Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Jay
Sekulow will lead the team.
Opening statements in the Trump impeachment trial will begin on January 21.
Ken Starr was the DoJ independent counsel who investigated the Whitewater
affair, a scandal-plagued mid-1980s land venture in Arkansas involving Bill and
Hillary Clinton.
The inquiry ultimately uncovered unrelated evidence that President Clinton
had been having an affair with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky.
The investigation culminated in the Democratic president’s impeachment by
the House of Representatives in 1998. Bill Clinton was acquitted by the Senate.
Robert Ray succeeded Ken Starr as the independent counsel.
Monica Lewinsky tweeted on January 17 shortly after President Trump’s team
was announced: “This is definitely
an ‘are you kidding me?’ kinda day.”
In 2016, Ken Starr was forced out of his position as president of Baylor
University after an inquiry found the school had mishandled rape accusations
against its football players.
He later also resigned from his roles as chancellor and law professor at the
university.
Alan Dershowitz is a retired Harvard University law
professor and constitutional law expert whose past celebrity clients have also
included boxer Mike Tyson.
He said in a statement that he had
also opposed Bill Clinton’s impeachment, and voted for Hillary Clinton in the
2016 election.
Donald Trump sought Alan
Dershowitz’s advice, too, during the 2017-2019 special counsel investigation
into alleged Russian meddling in the presidential election.
Alan Dershowitz and Ken Starr both
represented disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein during his 2008 abuse trial.
On January 17, President Trump
shared Alan Dershowitz’s comments criticizing a Government Accountability
Office ruling that the White House had broken the law by withholding aid to
Ukraine.
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has also been asked to join the
team.
Pam Bondi, a longtime Trump ally, joined the White House communications team
last November to focus on “proactive impeachment messaging”.
Donald Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, a central figure in the
Ukraine investigation, had also hoped to join the defense, but he did not make
the cut.
Rudy Giuliani told CBS he might be called as a witness in the impeachment
trial and “understood this may happen if I uncovered the 2016 Ukrainian
corruption”.
The former NYC mayor was apparently
referring to a discredited theory that Ukraine intervened in the last White
House election.
One of Rudy Giuliani’s associates,
Ukrainian-American businessman Lev Parnas, has said he went to Ukraine to
pressure local officials on behalf of Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani.
President Trump’s allies have
rubbished Lev Parnas’ claims, pointing out that he is facing unrelated campaign
finance charges.
Last month, Donald Trump was impeached
by the House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Democrats have accused the president of withholding military aid to Ukraine to pressure the country into investigating his political rival, former VP Joe Biden. President Trump denies the claims, and calls the impeachment proceedings a partisan “hoax”.
Evelyn Yang, the wife of Democratic
presidential hopeful Andrew Yang, has said she was assaulted by her gynecologist
while she was pregnant with their first child.
She has accused Dr. Robert Hadden of assaulting her at his New York practice
in 2012.
Speaking to CNN, Evelyn Yang said she didn’t tell her husband at first.
Andrew Yang’s wife is one of 32 women suing Robert Hadden and the university
where he practiced.
Dr. Hadden has denied the allegations in a court document. He was convicted
of assault in 2016 and surrendered his medical license, but did not serve any
jail time after accepting a plea deal.
Evelyn Yang, 38, said she was encouraged to speak out by the warm reception
she and her husband had received when talking to voters about their son’s
autism.
She revealed on CNN: “Something about being on the trail and
meeting people and seeing the difference that we’ve been making already has
moved me to share my own story about it, about sexual assault.”
Evelyn Yang said “everyone has
their own Me Too story”, referencing the global movement against assault
and harassment, but added “not everyone has the audience or platform to
tell their story”.
Andrew Yang, a tech entrepreneur who
is vying for the Democratic presidential nomination, said he was
“extraordinary proud” of his wife.
He said in a statement on January
16: “When victims of abuse come
forward, they deserve our belief, support, and protection.
“I hope that Evelyn’s story gives strength to those who
have suffered and sends a clear message that our institutions must do more to
protect and respond to women.”
Evelyn Yang has accused Dr. Hadden
of assaulting her in his examination room when she was seven months pregnant
with her first child.
She said she told her husband about the alleged assault after the birth of
their child, Christopher.
Evelyn Yang said she was prompted to do so after reading about a woman who
had accused Robert Hadden of assault.
Other women came forward and a case against Dr. Hadden was opened by the
Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Evelyn Yang helped prosecutors to build their case and testified before a
grand jury, which indicted Robert Hadden on multiple sex crime charges in 2014.
In 2016, Robert Hadden accepted a plea deal after admitting one count of forcible touching and one count of third-degree assault. As part of the deal, Hadden was stripped of his medical license but did not go to prison.
Russian PM Dmitry Mevedev has announced that
his government is resigning, hours after President Vladimir Putin proposed
sweeping constitutional changes that could prolong his stay in power.
If approved by the public, the proposals would transfer power from the
presidency to parliament.
President Putin is due to step down in 2024 when his fourth term of office
comes to an end.
However, there is speculation he could seek a new role or hold on to power
behind the scenes.
President Putin put forward his plans in his annual state of the nation
address to lawmakers. Later, in an unexpected move, PM Dmitry Medvedev
announced that the government was resigning to help facilitate the changes.
Vladimir Putin said during a speech
to both chambers of parliament that there would be a nationwide vote on changes
that would shift power from the presidency to parliament.
Constitutional reforms included
giving the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, “greater
responsibility” for the appointment of the prime minister and the cabinet.
Currently, the president appoints
the prime minister and government ministers, and the Duma approves the
decision.
Presidnet Putin also suggested an
increased role for an advisory body called the State Council. The council,
which is currently chaired by Vladimir Putin, comprises the heads of Russia’s
federal regions. President Putin said it had proved to be “highly
effective”.
Other measures include:
Limiting the supremacy of international law
Amending the rules that limit presidents to two
consecutive terms
Strengthening laws that prohibit presidential
candidates who have held foreign citizenship or foreign residency permits
PM Dmitry Medvedev made his announcement on state TV with President Putin sitting next to him.
He said: “These changes, when they are adopted… will introduce
substantial changes not only to an entire range of articles of the
constitution, but also to the entire balance of power, the power of the
executive, the power of the legislature, the power of judiciary.
“In this context… the government in its current form
has resigned.”
Vladimir Putin thanked Dmitry Medvedev
for his work but said “not everything” had been accomplished.
He asked the prime minister to
become deputy head of the National Security Council, which is chaired by the
president.
Vladimir Putin later nominated tax
service chief Mikhail Mishustin to replace Dmitry Medvedev as prime minister.
Dmitry Medvedev has been prime minister for several years. He previously
served as president from 2008-2012, switching roles with Vladimir Putin – a
close ally – after the latter served his first two terms as president. Russia’s
constitution only allows presidents to serve two consecutive terms.
Even when he was prime minister, Vladimir Putin was widely seen as the power
behind then President Medvedev.
Opposition leader and leading Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said he believed
that any referendum on the constitutional changes would be “fraudulent
crap”. He said Vladimir Putin’s goal was to be “sole leader for
life”.
The last time Russia held a referendum was in 1993 when it adopted the
constitution under President Boris Yeltsin, Vladimir Putin’s predecessor.
Vladimir Putin became acting president following Boris Yeltsin’s resignation in 1999 and was formally inaugurated a year later. He has held the reins of power – as president or prime minister – ever since.
Iran initially denied that the
passenger jet was hit by a missile, but later conceded that the aircraft was
hit by its air defense systems.
When the video was shared on social
media, it led analysts to say it showed the plane was hit by a missile.
Iranian media reported that the
country’s elite Revolutionary Guards had taken a person who posted a video last
week of the missile striking the plane into custody.
However, an Iranian journalist based
in London who initially posted the footage has insisted that his source is
safe, and that the Iranian authorities have arrested the wrong person.
On January 14, Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said that
several people had been detained over the downing of the plane.
He added that about 30 people had been arrested for “taking part in
illegal gatherings” – an apparent reference to recent anti-government
protests.
Separately the New York Times said
security camera footage showed two missiles were fired at the plane, more than
20 seconds apart.
The paper said this would explain why the plane’s transponder seemed to have stopped working before the missile strike – it had been disabled by the first missile.
Democrats have announced the House will
vote on January 15 on sending articles of impeachment against President Donald
Trump to the Senate.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told
fellow Democrats she would also name the House managers who will prosecute the
case against President Trump in the Senate trial.
Nancy Pelosi has been withholding
the articles of impeachment in a row with Republicans over allowing witnesses.
Donald Trump was impeached by the
Democratic-led House last month.
The president is accused of abuse of
power and obstruction of Congress.
He denies trying to pressure Ukraine
to open an investigation into his would-be Democratic White House challenger
Joe Biden.
President Trump has been touting
unsubstantiated corruption claims about Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, who
accepted a lucrative board position with a Ukrainian energy company while his
father handled American-Ukraine relations as US vice-president.
The impeachment trial by the Senate
will be only the third ever of a US president.
Donald Trump’s fellow Republicans
control the chamber 53-47, and are all but certain to acquit him.
Once the resolution is approved, the
House managers will walk to the Senate and formally present the articles of
impeachment in the well of the chamber, escorted by the sergeant-at-arms. The
articles of impeachment will be read out.
On January 14, Senate leader Mitch
McConnell met Republican senators behind closed doors to map out the ground
rules.
He said the trial was likely to
begin in earnest on January 21.
The first couple of days will
involve housekeeping duties, possibly later this week.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John
Roberts will be sworn in to preside, and he will administer an oath to all 100
senators to deliver “impartial justice” as jurors.
Lawmakers may hear opening arguments
next week. The House managers will lay out their case against President Trump,
and his legal team will respond.
The trial is expected to last up to
five weeks, with the Senate taking only Sundays off.
President Trump suggested over the weekend that he might prefer simply
dismissing the charges rather than giving legitimacy to the “hoax”
case against him.
Moderate Republican senators Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah
have made clear they would oppose any such motion.
On January 14, the White House said the president is “not afraid of a
fight” in his trial.
Deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley said President Trump was in fact eager
for witnesses to testify that “this man did nothing wrong”.
One of the biggest sticking points between House Democrats and Senate
Republicans has been whether testimony will be allowed during the trial.
Republican senators Lindsey Graham and Mike Rounds said on January 14 the
Senate’s trial plan will guarantee votes on whether to call witnesses and hear
new evidence.
It takes just 51 votes to approve rules or call witnesses, meaning four
Republican senators would have to side with Democrats to insist on testimony.
The White House is understood to have identified several possible defectors
in the Republican ranks, including Susan Collins and Mitt Romney.
The others are Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Cory Gardner of Colorado
and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, who is retiring this year.
Republicans say that if witnesses are allowed, they may try to subpoena Joe Biden and his son, and the unidentified government whistleblower whose complaint about President Trump sparked the whole impeachment inquiry.
At least 6 people have been killed and other 16
injured after an enormous sinkhole swallowed a bus and a number of pedestrians
in central China.
The incident occurred on January 13, in the evening, outside a hospital in
Xining, the capital of Qinghai province.
CCTV footage showed an explosion inside the sinkhole shortly after the bus
and bystanders fell inside.
In recent years, several deadly sinkholes have been reported in China.
The footage from the latest incident shows the moment people waiting at a
bus stop are forced to flee as the ground underneath the bus starts to cave in.
A number of people gather to try to rescue the bus passengers, but are
engulfed by the sinkhole as it suddenly widens.
Queen Elizabeth II has agreed a “period of
transition” in which Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will spend time in
Canada and the UK.
The Queen said she was “entirely supportive” of their desire for a
new role but “would have preferred” them to remain full-time working
royals.
She expected final decisions to be made in the coming days, she said.
Senior royals have been in talks about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s role
after they said they wanted to “step back”.
In a statement, Queen Elizabeth said the talks at Sandringham, which also
involved the Prince Charles Wales and Prince William, had been “very
constructive”.
She said: “My family and I are
entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a
young family.
“Although we would have preferred
them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and
understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while
remaining a valued part of my family.”
The Queen said it had been agreed there would be “a period of
transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK”
after Harry and Meghan “made clear that they do not want to be reliant on
public funds in their new lives”.
She said: “These are complex
matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I
have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”
The urgent talks were convened after the Sussexes surprised the rest of the
Royal Family on January 8 with a statement expressing their desire to
“step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family”.
Prince Harry and Meghan also said they wanted a “progressive new
role” within the institution, where they would be financially independent
and divide their time between the UK and North America.
Meanwhile, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau told Global News there had been
“no discussions” about the details of the royal couple’s move,
including on the issues of security and any potential impact on Canada’s
taxpayers.
Although no other family member was consulted about the timing of the
announcement, Prince Harry and Meghan said it came after “many months of
reflection and internal discussions”.
Both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke of the difficulties of royal life
and media attention in recent months, with the duke saying he feared his wife
would fall victim to “the same powerful forces” that led to his
mother’s death.
The talks about their future took place as Prince Harry and Prince William
issued a joint statement denying “false claims” that their
relationship had been damaged by “bullying” on the part of the older
brother.
They said that the “inflammatory language” in the claims was “offensive” and “potentially harmful”, given their support for mental health causes.
Indeed, there were 5,250 fatalities in 2018 that came from workplace injuries. This startling statistic reveals just how common workplace injuries can be.
Physical, mental and emotional hardship are ubiquitous in the American workforce. The impact of any such ailment on life can be extreme.
Thankfully, financial support in the form of work injuries compensation can be a silver lining to any injury you experience. If you’re going to suffer at the hands of your employer, then you might as well be compensated appropriately.
The trouble is that many people end up receiving far less than they need (or are owed!).
Want to ensure you avoid this fate and get compensated in full?
Keep reading to discover 6 tips for doing exactly that.
1. Gather the Evidence Together
Your bid to maximize compensation often comes down to the evidence you have of the event(s).
You might look at your injuries and assume that’s all the evidence you need! Alas, that won’t hold up in front of a jury. Make sure you gather together everything and anything that might be useful in your case. The more you have, the stronger your case will be.
Oftentimes, that requires being proactive in the early days following an injury or issue.
Photograph the scene where it happened and the injuries you incurred. Hold onto medical reports and doctor’s notes. Seek statements and contact details from people who were there at the time. And so on and so forth.
Do your digging and hand everything over to your attorney. More on this next.
2. Speak to an Attorney
You need a personal injury lawyer to fight in your corner.
Having one by your side throughout this process will be an unparalleled source of support and comfort. After all, legal proceedings can be complex; newbies to the scene can soon get lost in amongst the bureaucracy.
Take the case yourself and you’re in for trouble (assuming you’re not a legal expert).
In worst-case scenarios you might even fail to claim all the damages you’re owed. You might be surprised at how many things your case qualifies for. Lacking this insight, it’s all too easy to leave money on the table.
Injury lawyers will be able to assess your situation and identify exactly what you’re owed.
That’s an obvious boost in your bid to maximize compensatory employer pay-outs.
3. Get Treatment
Medical treatment may or may not have been optional for your particular injury.
Some people have no choice in the matter given the extent of their injuries. In more minor cases, though, people may decide to recover under their own steam.
This is no time for stoicism though! At the end of the day, you’re hurt and need medical intervention. That’s of vital importance for making a full recovery and minimizing your chances of long term struggles.
In the realm of this article, though, it’s also vital to your legal case.
Accessing treatment means you have a medical record of the damages you incurred. The injuries have been assessed, treated, and reported by professionals.
The result is a document that can be taken to the negotiation table as proof of what you’re owed.
4. Think Hard About the First Offer
Your employer is unlikely to want to go to court over the issue.
It’s time-consuming, expensive, and bad publicity. As such, it’s in their interest to try and settle the case outside of court. They’ll make a financial offer in the hope that you’ll take the cash and run.
Of course, it’s up to you what you do here.
Remember, though, that it’s in their interest to save as much cash as possible. Thus, they’ll come out of the gate with an offer of lower cash value. Twist their arm and you could get much more.
The trick here is to demonstrate the strength of your case against them. Show them why it’s insufficient. Then, help them realize how determined you are to get the compensation you deserve.
They might come back with a better offer.
If not, you can fight it out in court and hope for a win.
5. Work Hard on the Case
Everything depends on the strength of your case.
That’s no exaggeration.
To maximize the compensation you get from going to court, you’ll need compelling proof of what happened. Work with a lawyer and proceed in a methodical, calculated way.
Speak with anybody who might strengthen your claims: medical professionals (the more people who can corroborate your claim, the better), experts in the field, and so on. Get your hands on any records that have the same effect, and conduct depositions.
In time you can assemble all the evidence and arguments you need to win in court. Heck, if the case is strong enough you’ll likely be able to get the settlement you deserve outside of it.
6. File Quickly
Don’t wait forever and a day to file your case.
In fact, don’t wait at all! The quicker you do it, the better. A time limit is imposed on filing the case from the moment you suffer the injury.
If that passes, then you may not be able to get any compensation at all. Filing fast is also a clear sign to your employer that you’re coming after them. You get the impetus you need to start pulling your evidence together and demonstrate your intent in the process.
Claim Your Work Injuries Compensation
Workplace injuries happen all the time.
Of course, the severity of cases varies enormously.
One thing that’s for sure, though, is the ubiquity of the physical, mental and emotional struggles that occur at work. If you’ve suffered in this way recently, then there’s a good chance that you’re owed compensation.
Unfortunately, receiving adequate work injuries compensation pay-out is far from guaranteed.
Successfully seeking compensation demands insight into the process. Ignorance is the enemy when it comes to maximizing the amounts of money you’re owed by an employer.
Hopefully, though, this post will prove helpful in securing the cash you deserve.
Want to read more articles like this one? Search ‘compensation’ on the website now.
The Philippines’ Taal volcano has
begun spewing lava, as authorities warn that a “hazardous eruption”
is possible “within hours or days”.
In the early hours of January 13 weak
lava began flowing out of the volcano – located some 45 miles south of the
capital Manila.
It comes after Taal emitted a huge
plume of ash, triggering the mass evacuation of 8,000 people from the area.
Taal is the Philippines’ second most
active volcano.
Situated on an island in the middle
of a lake, Taal is one of the world’s smallest volcanoes and has recorded at
least 34 eruptions in the past 450 years.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in a
statement: “Taal volcano entered a
period of intense unrest… that progressed into magmatic eruption at 02:49 to
04:28… this is characterized by weak lava fountaining accompanied by thunder
and flashes of lightning.”
However, Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said that signs of a hazardous
eruption, including “flows of ashes, rocks, gas at speeds of more than 60
kph horizontally” had not yet occurred, according to CNN Philippines.
Phivolcs has now raised the alert level from 3 to 4, out of a maximum of 5.
Authorities have also warned of a possible “volcanic tsunami”,
which can be trigged by falling debris after an eruption, pushing the water and
generating waves.
On January 12, the volcano emitted a giant plume of ash, with rumbling
sounds and tremors also reported.
According to Phivolcs, a total of 75 earthquakes have occurred in the Taal
region, with 32 of these earthquakes ranking 2 and higher on the earthquake
intensity scale.
The Official United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA) said more than 450,000 people are estimated to live within the
10 miles danger zone of the Taal volcano.
The Civil Aviation Authority announced on January 13 that it had resumed
“partial operations” as of 10:00 local time for flights departing the
airport and 12:00 for flights arriving.
The Philippine stock exchange also announced it would halt all trading on
January 13.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s office has also ordered the suspension of government work in Manila and of all schools across all levels in the capital.
Queen Elizabeth II has summoned senior royals
to Sandringham on January 13 for face-to-face talks to discuss the future roles
of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
According to local reports, Prince Harry,
Prince William and Prince Charles will all attend, while Meghan is expected
join the discussion over the phone from Canada.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex say they plan to step back as senior members
of the Royal Family.
There is no suggestion a conclusion will be reached at the meeting.
Prince Harry and Meghan also said they plan to split their time between the
UK and North America, while “continuing to honor our duty to the Queen,
the Commonwealth, and our patronages”.
There are likely to be tax implications to any decision to base themselves outside the UK.
The meeting at the Queen’s estate in Norfolk – being described as the
‘Sandringham summit’ – will be the first time the monarch has come face-to-face
with Prince Harry since the Sussexes’ announcement, which was posted on their
official Instagram account.
The Royal Family was said to be “hurt” at the couple’s statement.
It is understood the Queen was not consulted in advance of their decision.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, William and Harry are expected to review
a range of possibilities for the Sussexes, taking into account plans outlined
by the couple.
If a deal is agreed in the coming days, there is a general understanding
that it will take some time to implement.
Prince Charles is currently in Oman, after travelling overnight to attend the first of three days of official condolences following the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said.
About 1,000 of protesters have taken
to the streets in Iran’s capital, Tehran, to vent anger at officials, calling
them liars for having denied shooting down a Ukrainian passenger plane.
Protests took place outside at least
two universities, with tear gas reportedly fired.
President Donald Trump tweeted
support for the “inspiring” protests.
On January 11, Iran admitted downing
the jet “unintentionally”, three days after the crash that killed 176
people.
Ukraine International Airlines
flight PS752, en route to Kyiv, was shot down on January 8 near Imam Khomeini
Airport in Tehran shortly after take-off, and only hours after Iran had fired
missiles at two air bases housing US forces in Iraq.
Those attacks were Iran’s response
to the US killing of Gen. Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad on January
3.
Dozens of Iranians and Canadians, as
well as nationals from Ukraine, the UK, Afghanistan and Germany died on the
plane.
According to local reports, students gathered outside at least two universities,
Sharif and Amir Kabir, initially to pay respect to the victims. Protests turned
angry in the evening.
The semi-official Fars news agency
carried a rare report of the unrest, saying up to 1,000 people had chanted
slogans against leaders and tore up pictures of Qasem Soleimani.
The students called for those
responsible for the downing the plane, and those they said had covered up the
action, to be prosecuted.
Chants included
“commander-in-chief resign”, referring to Supreme Leader Ali
Khamenei, and “death to liars”.
According to Fars, police had “dispersed” the protesters, who were
blocking roads. Social media footage appeared to show tear gas being fired.
Social media users also vented anger
at the government’s actions.
The protests were, however, far
smaller than the mass demonstrations across Iran in support of Qasem Soleimani
after he was killed.
President Trump tweeted in both
English and Farsi, saying: “To the
brave and suffering Iranian people: I have stood with you since the beginning
of my presidency and my government will continue to stand with you.
“We are following your protests closely. Your courage
is inspiring.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted video of the protests
in Iran, saying: “The voice of the
Iranian people is clear. They are fed up with the regime’s lies, corruption,
ineptitude, and brutality of the IRGC [Revolutionary Guards] under Khamenei’s
kleptocracy. We stand with the Iranian people who deserve a better
future.”
For three days, Iran had denied reports its missiles had brought down the Ukraine
jet, with one spokesman accusing Western nations of “lying and engaging in
psychological warfare”.
However, on January 11, a statement read on state TV accepted the plane had
been shot down.
Brig-Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the Revolutionary Guards’ aerospace commander,
explained what happened.
The general said a missile operator had acted independently and alone, mistaking the plane for a “cruise missile” as there had been reports that such missiles had been fired at Iran.
Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman has died
aged 79.
He was the Arab world’s longest-serving ruler.
Qaboos deposed his father in a bloodless coup with British support in 1970
and set Oman on a path to development, using its oil wealth.
Widely regarded as popular, Sultan Qaboos was also an absolute monarch and
any dissenting voices were silenced.
No cause of death has been confirmed.
Sultan Qaboos’ cousin, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, has been sworn in as his
successor.
A family council had three days to choose a successor as the sultan had no heir
or publicly designated successor. Instead they opted for opening the sealed
envelope in which Sultan Qaboos had secretly left his own choice.
The sultan is the paramount decision-maker in Oman. He also holds the
positions of prime minister, supreme commander of the armed forces, minister of
defense, minister of finance and minister of foreign affairs.
Last month, Sultan Qaboos spent a week in Belgium for medical treatment, and
there were reports he was suffering from cancer. Images showed a crowd of men
gathered outside the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the capital, Muscat, where
the coffin had been placed before he was buried in a family cemetery.
In a TV speech after being sworn in, Sultan Haitham – a former culture and
heritage minister who studied at Oxford – pledged to continue his predecessor’s
policies of friendly relations with all nations while further developing Oman.
For almost five decades, Sultan Qaboos completely dominated the political
life of Oman, which is home to 4.6 million people, of whom about 43% are
expatriates.
At the age of 29 Qaboos overthrew his father, Said bin Taimur, a reclusive
and ultra-conservative ruler who banned a range of things, including listening
to the radio or wearing sunglasses, and decided who could get married, be
educated or leave the country.
He immediately declared that he intended to establish a modern government
and use oil money to develop a country where, at the time, there were only 6
miles of paved roads and three schools.
In the first few years of his rule, with the help of British Special Forces,
Qaboos suppressed an insurgency in the southern province of Dhofar by tribesmen
backed by the Marxist People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen.
Described as charismatic and visionary, Qaboos pursued a neutral path in foreign
affairs and was able to facilitate secret talks between the US and Iran in 2013
that led to a landmark nuclear deal in 2015.
A degree of discontent surfaced in 2011 during the so-called Arab Spring.
There was no major upheaval in Oman, but thousands of people took to the
streets across the country to demand better wages, more jobs and an end to
corruption.
Security forces initially tolerated the protests, but later used tear gas,
rubber bullets and live ammunition to disperse them. Two people were killed and
dozens of people were injured. Hundreds were prosecuted under laws criminalizing
“illegal gatherings” and “insulting the sultan”.
The protests failed to produce anything in the way of major change. However,
Sultan Qaboos did remove several long-serving ministers perceived as corrupt,
widened the powers of the Consultative Council, and promised to create more
public sector jobs.
On January 11, hundreds gathered to mourn the death of Sultan Qaboos.
In a statement read on state TV on January 11, Iran has admitted it
“unintentionally” shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet.
According to the statement, the flight PS752 had turned towards a
“sensitive military center” of the Revolutionary Guards, the force
set up to defend Iran’s Islamic system, and had a “flying posture and
altitude of an enemy target”.
The plane was shot down on January 8, hours after Iran had struck two air
bases housing US forces in Iraq.
Those missile strikes were Iran’s response to the US killing of senior Iranian
commander Qasem Soleimani. He died in a drone strike in Baghdad on January 3.
Iran had initially denied reports its missiles had brought down the plane,
with one spokesman accusing Western nations of “lying and engaging in
psychological warfare”.
Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, en route to Kyiv, came down
near Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran shortly after take-off. Victims included
dozens of Iranians and Canadians, as well as nationals from Ukraine, the UK,
Afghanistan and Germany.
Brig-Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the Revolutionary Guards’ aerospace commander,
said a missile operator had acted independently and alone, mistaking the plane
for a “cruise missile” as there had been reports that such missiles
had been fired at Iran.
He said: “He had 10 seconds to
decide. He could have decided to strike or not to strike and under such
circumstances he took the wrong decision.
“He was obliged to make contact
and get verification. But apparently, his communications system had some
disruptions.”
General Hajizadeh said the military would upgrade its systems to prevent
such “mistakes” in the future.
He said he had “wished he was dead” after being told of the
missile strike.
The general also said a request had been made for a no-fly zone in the area
before the incident but, for reasons that are unclear, this was rejected.
He said he had informed the authorities about what had happened on January 8,
raising questions about why Iran had denied involvement for so long.
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky has demanded Iran “bring the
guilty to the courts”, repatriate the remains of the victims, pay
compensation, give total access to Ukrainian officials and issue an apology
through diplomatic channels.
Meanwhile, Ayatollah Khamenei said there was “proof of human error” and that he had asked “relevant authorities to take necessary measures to prevent” such an incident happening again.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said: “Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake.”
The president vowed to prosecute those responsible.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif apologized to the families of the victims but laid part of the blame on the US. “Human error at a time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to [this] disaster,” he said.
Some video footage on social media has shown protests in central Tehran, with
people calling for resignations and accusing officials of dishonesty.
Protests were reported at the Sharif and Amir Kabir universities.
Some demonstrators chanted for the resignation of the commander in chief –
Ayatollah Khamenei.
The semi-official Fars news agency carried a rare report of the
anti-government unrest, saying up to 1,000 people had gathered, chanting
slogans against leaders and tearing up pictures of Gen. Qasem Soleimani.
A number of social media users asked why Iranian officials had not accepted responsibility earlier, appearing only to do so after international pressure.
There’s a difference between having the tools necessary to do something and having the knowledge and skills necessary to do so. Put it this way: Anyone can get behind the wheel of a car, but not everyone knows what to do next. The same principle applies to enterprises deploying business intelligence and data analytics. Having the tools is a fundamental first step
Gartner estimates half of all organizations “will lack sufficient Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data literacy skills to achieve business value” by 2020. But not for lack of trying — the research firm also expects 80 percent of organizations to deliberately develop data literacy to overcome these deficits.
Why should companies develop a data-literate workforce, exactly? Here are three key reasons.
Teams Can Use Data More Self-Sufficiently
As Info World notes, we’re in the midst of a shift away from IT departments solely managing data to “our current reality where people who aren’t used to working with data must incorporate those skills.”
Self-service search and voice analytics tools are capable of helping employees of all stripes interface directly with stored data, ask questions and receive instant answers. In theory, this alleviates the need for teams like marketing, sales and leadership to treat data specialists like gatekeepers standing between them and insights they can use in decision-making.
However, data literacy is a determining factor in how much value these employees can derive from data — along with the accuracy and quality of the insights they’re taking away. The better versed everyone throughout an organization is in data concepts and language, the easier time they’ll have pulling insights, interpreting them correctly and using them effectively to drive business outcomes.
IT Teams Get Relief from the Reporting Backlog
Another advantage of boosting data literacy among non-specialists is it takes much of the pressure off IT teams to produce constant reports on behalf of others. Without a backlog of requests, IT experts can set their sights on loftier projects — ones more closely tied to advancing strategy and organizational growth.
Data Literacy Can Help or Hurt Growth
Enterprises with the ability to connect decision-makers with speedy data insights — in other words, companies with the right tools and degree of data literacy in place — are equipped to make business decisions capable of driving growth. Data can help companies optimize performance, cut waste, eliminate pain points, reduce operating costs, maximize output and drill down into customer behavior. These are building blocks to sustainable business growth.
On the flip side, lacking the tools and data literacy necessary to capitalize on data insights can inhibit growth. Increasingly, the degree to which an organization is able to become data driven will affect its competitive edge; growth is a big part of that differentiation.
How to Develop a Data-Literate Workforce
We’ve outlined three compelling reasons to boost data literacy within your enterprise. Your next question is probably: How? Well, it’s a combination of products and processes. Deploying a self-service data analytics platform like ThoughtSpot is a start. But businesses will have to do more to truly promote data literacy at every level.
Establishing expectations and shared language centering around data is a must, as is providing accessible training for employees. Cultivating a data-driven culture is about more than just tools; it’s about how people use these tools, as well as how they communicate their findings. Make sure company leaders are taking initiative and leading by example, rather than paying lip service to the value of data without demonstrating its value in action.
Developing a data-literate workforce is no longer an optional yet desirable goal; it’s an absolute must for staying competitive as we move into the future.
Winter
weather results in an increase in slip and fall injuries and employers are
being warned to take extra precautions.
According to the statistics from the National Safety Council, 34,000 people died at home and at work from slips and falls in 2016.
Employers
are being urged to take further action to prevent tragedy from occurring at
their places of business.
Are Slip and Fall Injuries
Increasing?
There
are worries that slip and fall injuries are going to continue to increase due
to harsh winter weather conditions. Additionally, there are more businesses and
more active employees than ever before. The US is currently experiencing
record-low unemployment numbers.
It’s
clear that regulations across New Jersey and the rest of the country have
prevented thousands of injuries every year. The financial penalties for
employers who don’t take appropriate action are significant and could cause
many small businesses to be wiped out.
This
has prompted them to act, particularly during the winter months.
More Awareness of the Dangers
are Needed
Steven
Benvenisti, a lawyer for Davis, Saperstein & Salomon P.C., has been
involved in a major accident in the past. He sustained life-changing injuries
when he was struck by a drunk-driver six weeks before graduating.
Today,
Steven specializes in providing help to people who have been injured, as well
as acting as a motivational speaker for a variety of medical associations,
legal conferences, and universities.
He
states, “It’s important that employers
remember that falls are 100% preventable. There is no excuse for employers not
to take the appropriate steps to protect employees and customers against
injuries on their premises.”
What Can Employers Do to
Reduce the Number of Slips and Falls?
Health
and safety officials, as well as the legal industry, are calling for employers
to educate themselves on the most common causes of slips and falls during the
winter months.
Basic
protections for anyone working at a place of business doesn’t need to be
expensive. It can be as simple as placing rock salt on the ground and ensuring
that parking lots are well-lit during dark hours.
The
legal industry is also warning that the penalties for employers who don’t heed
these warnings are huge. It could cost them tens of thousands of dollars if
someone slips and experiences a sprain or break.
How Can Employees Find Help
if They’re Involved in an Accident?
Steven
says, “There’s a statute of limitations
in every state on accidents in the workplace. For workers’ compensation cases
in New Jersey, this limit is two years.”
Employees
making a claim for a slip or fall in the workplace could be entitled to
thousands of dollars, rather than scrambling to find the money to cover their
medical bills.
With a
cold winter expected in New Jersey, knowing where to turn is vital for
employees when exercising their rights and entitlements.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced
they will step back as “senior” royals and work to become financially
independent.
In a statement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also
said they plan to split their time between the UK and North America.
According to the UK’s media outlets, no other royals – including Queen
Elizabeth II or Prince William – was consulted before the statement and
Buckingham Palace is “disappointed”.
Senior royals are understood to be “hurt” by the announcement.
In October 2019, Prince Harry and his wife publicly revealed their struggles
under the media spotlight.
In their unexpected statement on January 8, also posted on their Instagram
page, Prince Harry and Meghan said they made the decision “after many
months of reflection and internal discussions”.
“We intend to step back as
‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially
independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they plan
to balance their time between the UK and North America while “continuing
to honor our duty to the Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages”.
“This geographic balance will enable us to raise our
son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while
also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter,
including the launch of our new charitable entity.”
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said discussions with the royal couple on
their decision to step back were “at an early stage”, adding: “We understand their desire to take a
different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to
work through.”
Over Christmas, Prince Harry and Meghan took a six-week break from royal
duties to spend some time in Canada with their son, Archie, who was born in
May.
After returning to the UK on January 7, Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38,
visited Canada’s High Commission in London to thank the country for hosting them
and said the warmth and hospitality they received was “unbelievable”.
During the visit, Meghan said it was an “incredible time” to enjoy
the “beauty of Canada”.
She said: “To see Archie go ‘ah’
when you walk by, and just see how stunning it is – so it meant a lot to
us.”
Former actress Meghan Markel lived and worked in Toronto during her time
starring in the popular American drama Suits,
and she has several Canadian friends.
Prince Harry’ move was compared by specialists to Edward VIII’s abdication
in 1936 in order to marry twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson.
The Duke of Sussex is sixth in line to the throne – behind Prince Charles,
Prince William and his three children.
In an ITV documentary in 2019, Meghan Markle admitted motherhood was a
“struggle” due to intense interest from newspapers.
Prince Harry also responded to reports of a rift between him and his brother
William, the Duke of Cambridge, by saying they were on “different
paths”.
In October, Meghan began legal action against the Mailon Sunday over a
claim that it unlawfully published one of her private letters.
Prince Harry also began legal action against the owners of the Sun, the defunct News of the World, and the Daily Mirror, in relation to alleged phone-hacking.
Have you gotten into a truck accident today? It can be stressful. Especially if you got hurt. Here are a few steps you should take next to get compensation.
How deadly are accidents involving trucks? According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, over 4,000 Americans died as a result of large truck crashes in 2018. Of those, the majority — 67 percent — were drivers or passengers in automobiles.
Do you know what to do in the event that you are a victim of a truck accident today? Read on to refresh your memory about the essential steps to take.
1. Stay Calm and Keep Quiet
An accident can rattle even the calmest, most laid back person. However, it’s important to keep your wits about you. First, assess the safety of the situation and determine if you or one of your passengers are injured. Then take a few moments to breathe deeply and center yourself before exiting the vehicle.
It’s human nature to place blame on the other driver, but whatever you do, do not come out swinging. Antagonizing them could cause the situation to go from bad to worse. Conversely, if you admit responsibility or apologize, they might use that against you when it comes to assigning fault.
In the event that the other driver is shouting or swearing at you, lock your car door, call 911, and wait for the authorities to arrive.
2. Call for Help
Even if there don’t seem to be any serious injuries or damage to the vehicles, you need to call 911. Filing an accident report is the law, for starters.
Moreover, it’s simply smart to have the incident documented. You may develop injuries later on that can be traced back to the accident. One of the most common delayed injuries is whiplash, but there are many other issues that can develop long after the dust settles.
There is also the possibility that other people involved may decide to bring legal action against you.
3. Use Your Cell Phone to Capture Evidence
As you are waiting for police and paramedics to arrive, take out your smartphone and start snapping pics. You can also record video. Make sure to capture any damage to the vehicles as well as road conditions or weather that may have led to the accident.
If there are witnesses, take down their contact information so police can follow up with them if necessary. Of course, you should also exchange info with the other driver, including the details of their insurance.
4. Seek Medical Attention ASAP
Often, the 911 dispatcher will send an ambulance to the accident scene, just as a precautionary measure. If you are not seen by EMTs or paramedics then and there, however, go get checked out by your doctor. You can also visit an urgent care clinic.
Don’t delay; seek medical attention no later than the day after the crash. Again, having this documentation could prove essential to a favorable legal outcome.
5. Secure the Services of an Attorney
Speaking of favorable legal outcomes, another important step in the wake of an accident is contacting an attorney. Accident attorneys offer complimentary consultations to determine whether their services are necessary.
Getting a truck accident lawyer doesn’t necessarily mean you have to file a lawsuit. They can help you in negotiations with insurance companies as well, to guarantee that you get a fair shake.
A Truck Accident Today Can Result in Heartache Tomorrow
In the aftermath of a serious crash, it’s common for a person’s common sense to fly out the window! You can never be too prepared to deal with a truck accident today, tomorrow, or next year. Keep your head, document everything you can, and enlist the assistance of law enforcement, medical personnel, and attorneys.
Have you ever been in a serious crash with a truck? Do you have any tips for dealing with the pain or other problems that accidents cause? Leave a comment below.
